Stella Franks is quirky & a Building Designer.
to create spaces for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Three Stems
Creative founder.
Building & Interior designer.
past
16+ years industry experience
project & custom new homes
new product ranges
display homes
residential renovations
present
My present aim is to gain more skills in sustainable design. Reseaching new materials and discovering locally made products so that I can inject these ideas subtly and artfully into our everyday living.
future
Increase my strengths by studing Landscape Design. As the surrounding environement, is as important to visually compliment, and increase the comforts of our homes.
always
LOVES
Tea – perfect for every occassion
Words – there are so many more then just ‘nice’
Gardening
DISLIKES
Mushrooms
The word ‘nice’
how can I help with your project?
services & process
redesigning homes for families to live in
I am here to help you design your home to achieve your ideal way of living. You may already know what you need to improve your home and living spaces. However you may not quite know how the space will quite fit together as a cohesive unit.
That’s where I can help.
I am able to work with you to develop your ideas, make recommendations and transpose those ideas into plans. As a licensed Building Designer, those plans can be submitted to council for approval, and be used for construction purposes.
Are you ready?
extension
You brought a house.It has all the space you require. However there is a few things that are not quite in the right location. The kitchen is at one end, and you have to carry everything from one end down the hallway, past the toys, over the dog out to the dining. Reconsidering the location of a few choice rooms whilst being mindful of the orientation will increase the ease in which one moves through the space. A thoughtful internal renovation might happen in conjunction with an extension, as you gain extra space, you maybe able to spread out and increase room sizes or sneak in a much needed second toilet.
prices starting from $3,800
renovation
You brought a house.It has all the space you require. However there is a few things that are not quite in the right location. The kitchen is at one end, and you have to carry everything from one end down the hallway, past the toys, over the dog out to the dining. Reconsidering the location of a few choice rooms whilst being mindful of the orientation will increase the ease in which one moves through the space. A thoughtful internal renovation might happen in conjunction with an extension, as you gain extra space, you maybe able to spread out and increase room sizes or sneak in a much needed second toilet.
prices starting from $3,600
raise and build under
This is all about maximizing your space, with additional benefits. By raising up, the potential to capture views and enjoy the breezes, whilst increasing the floor area of your house, without reducing your yard space is a big win win.
prices starting from $4,200
carport
If you have an older style house, chances are there is minimal covered car parking on site if at all. Or you have multiple vehicles, and a caravan, boat, bikes or kids that will need cars soon, and your existing garage is now full, a carport is a good solution.
Carports do not need to be the basic lean tos a mere after thought anymore. They can dress up extension and compliment the house or hide the house and make their own statement.
prices starting from $2,200
deck
Decks can make a small house feel large. Providing an additional living area adjacent to a kitchen and or family room, opens up the house, and allow people to breathe. Bonus points if your backyard faces North. Orientation is an often overlooked consideration, but understanding its
potential, will provide many benefits for years to come.
prices starting from $2,800
kitchen, bathroom and laundry
In an older style house, the wet rooms might have just been squeezed into any available corner, added in as living standards advanced. That squished kitchen that was there to just serve a single purpose has now become multipurpose, the heart of the home, where home work and home cooks work next to each other. A kitchen now needs to be thought out and thoughtfully located. Access directly to living areas, both inside and out, improves function and subsequently livability.
The bathroom and laundry have come along way since their first arrival into the house. Bathrooms are now luxurious rather then a luxury item of yesteryear.
The laundry, once overlooked, it classically consisted of a familiar large concrete tub, with the water piped into it from the machine. Now, they too can be beautiful rooms featured on pinterest with genius storage solutions.
prices starting from $2,000
granny flats
If you have the land size to do it, Granny Flats, add a great way to accommodate additional family members for long term stays whilst still allowing you to live separately. This may allow for interstate guests, older parents, or if your older kids haven’t quite yet moved out. New hobbies or side hustles may need that additional space to store supplies and have space to spread out and grow.
prices starting from $4,000
new house
This is where you almost have unlimited design potential. There is no existing structures, to work within. Together we can design how you wish to live. Providing space to entertain, space to rest and space for guests. This is the opportunity to consider the orientation of your house, to reduce that glaring summer sun, and invite the shy winter sun in enhance your living experience.
Orientation is one of the most overlooked elements of designing a house or renovation, whereas if it is well considered it can be one of the most influential elements of how you live in your home.
prices starting from $5,200
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Project – inclusions
The extent of each project varies greatly.
The prices are provided as a guide only
Each project includes the following:
• on-site design consultation
• background research to determine site constraints
• site plans, floor plans & elevations to suit your individual project
• alternative layout options to suit
• 3x free plan variations to develop your ideas
• prices as required for highly recommend external professionals
existing conditions
When first contacted I will research your site. In South East Queensland there are a range of varying planning overlays that note special restrictions to preserve the character of the area. Depending on your project, your design may trigger town planning requirements as it can increase the costs of gaining approval and take additional time to achieve.
Other items to note is whether the area is in a flood or bush fire affected area, as this requires specific design considerations and additional reports completed during certification.
preliminary design
We will meet on site to discuss your project, and any potential restrictions that may need to be addressed.
I offer a range service levels. I can redraw your provided plans, without any design options, provide plans based on either your own ideas, images and brain storming as discussed on site, or can do a combination of both by developing the plans that you have provided.
I can provide options for entire floor plan configurations, or simple alternatives to resolve an awkward layout in a particular area.
Once you are happy with the design, you will be required to sign off on the plans. No further structural changes can occur after this stage. If additional changes do occur, a fee may be required, and the engineering may need to be amended to suit.
Plans provided may include:
• Site plan
• Floor plans
external consultants
Depending on your needs I can organize for all your additional consultants required for your project.
I have developed strong working relationships with industry professionals. I can manage the project through the approval stages.
I send through the plans and revisions as required to the external consultants, and decipher any additional requests for information (RFI) or can help explain the provided engineering details.
General external consultants, in order of project progression:
• Surveyor
• Engineer
• Town Planner
• Certifier
• Colour Consultant
• Builder
building approval
Once the engineering is complete, I do a final check of the plans, updating to reference the engineers’ details and specification. I will add any additional notes for the certifier as required. Once complete the plans are ready for approval.
If your project has triggered town planning, a Development Application is now required. During this process, a Town Planner will be required to submit the plans to council for approval. If RFI’s are received the town planner will advise and I will discuss our options with you and I update the plans to suit.
Once the development application is approved, if required, the plans go to the certifier. The certifier will ensure that what is proposed will comply. They will seek approvals for a variety of conditions and ensure that all required reports have been completed.
This may include:
• Build over services (most common)
• Tree removal permits
• Bush fire reports
• Flood report
from plans to completion
projects
extension & renovation
existing conditions cottage A beautiful old cottage, which was waiting for loving restoration. As expected, there was minimal space, but maximum charm. history Overtime previous extensions occurred. I find it fascinating pulling apart the pieces of history. Noting the...
display home
completion achievements magazine The displays have been featured in 'GRAND DESIGN AUSTRALIA' Issue 8.6 master builder winner Jackson 35 home design has been awarded Brisbane's Best Display Home over $551k by Master Builders...
bathroom
existing conditions problems Cramped and ill designed are not great adjectives to describe a bathroom. With a feature hole in the floor, also not appealing. The only 'wow' in this bathroom is the great natural light streaming through the louvres which offered very...
carport
existing conditions the ugliest house in the street The house needed a much needed beautification to improve street value, as well as providing shelter for vehicles. Consideration in reducing the earthworks, having side by side parking, and not hiding the setback...
happy clients & happy words
testimonials
Grand Designs Australia
The display home I designed for ‘Privium Homes’ appeared in the issue 8.6.
Custom Homes Australia
The display home I designed and conceptualized for ‘Privium Homes’ won Custom Homes Magazine “Housing and Construction Awards” winning “Brisbane’s Best Display Home over $551,000”.
View the write up here
https://customhomesonline.com.au/industrialstyle-award-winning-home/
Privium Homes
Read the description of the display home I designed and conceptualized for ‘Privium Homes’.
View the write up here
https://customhomesonline.com.au/display-homes-brisbane/
philosophy & essence
three stems
learning
Bachelor of Design, interior Environments
Building Designer • QBCC 15055942
Diploma of Interior Design & Technology
designing
Appreciate, honor & respect that the space designed, Influences how you live. Believe in simplicity and practical designs, for livable solutions.
living
Reduce, reuse, recycle & renovate.
stem¹
noun
the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit.
verb
stem, stemming to arise or originate.
stem²
noun
stemmed, stemming to make progress against [any opposition].
verb
stemmed, stemming to make headway against [a tide, current, gale etc].
stem³
noun
the main, or usually vertical stroke of a letterform.
let’s start your project
contact
redesigning homes
for families to live in
Give me a call, and we can arrange a time for an on-site no obligation chat and a cup of tea to discuss your project.
I will get an understanding of your project, and be able to answer any questions about the process.
Ph: 0432 021 808
chat
0432 021 808
stella@threestems.com.au
office hours
Tuesday – Friday
9:00am – 5:00pm
office hours
facebook threestems
instagram threestemsdesign
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